Peter Forsberg Returns: Can He Save The Sliding Colorado Avalanche?

After weeks of practicing with the club, former star forward Peter Forsberg has decided to return to the Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Post reports.

Forsberg will join the club for their upcoming road trip, which starts tomorrow night in Phoenix.

Due to a nagging foot injury, Forsberg hasn't played in the NHL since the 2007-2008 season, where he played nine games with the Avalanche. In the four seasons between the 2003-2004 season and the 2007-2008 season, Forsberg only managed to participate in 152 games, less than the equivalent of two full seasons.

But despite being 37 years of age, and out of the NHL for three years, Forsberg has made his return to the Avalanche.

Unfortunately for Forsberg and the Avalanche, the club has dropped three straight, and have lost five of their last six games.

But Forsberg is the type of player who can change the dynamic of a line-up just by being in it. His notoriety alone forces opposing coaches to focus on shutting him down, which opens up more ice for other players.

This was true even in 2007-2008, when the 10th placed Avalanche went 8-1-0 with Forsberg in the line-up and finished sixth in the Western Conference.

With only a dozen games left before the NHL's February 28th trade deadline, Forsberg's impact with the Avalanche will determine if they're adding players for a playoff run or trading away less important parts of the roster to more competitive teams.

If he can come in a play the majority of the games before the deadline, it might be enough for the Avalanche to squeeze back into playoff contention. If not, expect the Avalanche's current slide to continue.